Radio attachment for string instruments



Oct. 23, 1928. 1,689,136

a. T. HASTINGS I RADIO ATTACHMENT FOR STRING INSTRUMENTS Filed Sept. 13, 1927 Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

GEdRGE '1. HASTINGS, 01! NEW YORK, N. Y.

RADIO ATTACHMENT FOR STRING INSTRUMENTS.

Application filed September 13, 1927.

This invention relates to a combination of a radio unit with a string instrument, particularly a device including the combination of an ordinary violin and a radio loud speaker electric drive unit of the common type found in radio supply houses.

An object of this invention is to provide a radio string instrument outfit which may be easily and inexpensively constructed, com prising, primarily, the adaptation of a radio drive unit to a musical string instrument and a means for adjustingand tuning the instrument with respect to the radio unit.

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following detailed description of the device and as disclosed in the single sheet of drawings which is herewith made a part of this application.

In the drawings Figure 1 illustrates a side elevational view of a string instrument having in combinatlon therewith a radio electric drive unit.

Figure 2 represents a sectional view of the belly portion of the violin, to an enlarged scale, disclosing the driving pin of the electric unit, in assembled relationship thereto.

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional View of the string instrument showing the driving pm of the electric unit fastened in operative relationship with the main body portion of the string instrument.

Numeral 1 designates a string instrument, such as an ordinary violin having the bridge and a suitable number of strings, preferably three, removed therefrom so that the instrument may be readily combined with a radio loud speaker electric driving unit of the common t pe. Upon the regular finger board 2-of t e violin is adapted to be mounted a block 3 made of suitable material, such as wood, and held firmly in position on the finger board 2 by means of fastening elements, such as screws, 4 or otherwise, or the block 3 may be mounted on the finger board 2 and clamped into position as desired.

It 15 preferred, in this invention, to securely fasten in position on the block 3, an electric drive unit 5 for radio purposes,'commonly found in radio sup-ply shops. The drivin pin 6 of the unit 5 is fastened through a opening or socket 7 formed in the belly portion 8 of the violin and the rear portion 9 thereof, as at 10. The driving pin 6 is adjusted in assembled relations ip with the violin, as above described, at a point approximately where the'center of the bridge of the Serial No 219,296.

violin would normally rest, and for this purpose, slotted screw elements 11 are used. The string 12 of the violin is then threaded in the customary manner through a tuning key 13 and passed over the exact center of the wooden block in position thereon by means of two V-shaped notches cut in the block 3 as at 15 and 16. The string 12, being one of the original strings of the violin, is then affixed to the tail piece 17 in the same manner as in ordinary practice. By means of a regular attachment cord 18 and the regular radio speaker plug 19, the electric unit 5 may be plugged into the radio set as with an loud Speaker. Numeral 20 represents a elt or other absorbent material adapted to lessen vibration and is located between the finger board 2 and the wooden block 3.

In order to bring the violin, arranged as above, into resonance with the characteristics of the electrical unit and cause it to respond accurately to the electrical pulsations set up in its driving armature attached to the driving pin 6, without undue distortion and rattle,

' and also to enable the driving mechanism to be instantly adjusted to the violin under all conditions of weather and otherwise, as well as to properly space the drive unit and corresponding pin with relation to the belly portion 8 of the violin for proper tuning and clarity, the tuning string 12 is either tightened or loosened until the proper pitch or tone is reached. Tightening the string 12 functions to pull down on the block 3 and presses driving pin 6 closer to the violin body and vice versa.

It has been found in actual practice that the device as above described functions very efliciently, and the means for attaching the radio driving unit to the musical string instrument is unique, easy of adjustment in tuning the instrument with respect to the unit, and inexpensive.

It is to be understood that alterations and substitutions may be made in the above disclosure within the scope of the appended claims without affecting the merits of the invention.

What I claim is 1. In combination a musical stringed instrument having a finger board, a radio electric unit, a member mounted upon the finger board for supporting in attached relationship thereto the radio unit, the member comprising a wooden block fastened to the finger 3 as at 14 and is maintained board, a driving pin in the radio electric unit arranged to pass through the stringed instrument.

2. In combination a muslcal stnn d instrument having a finger board, a, re. 10 electric unit, a member mounted upon the finger board for 'su porting in attached relationship thereto t e radio unit, the member comrising a wooden block fastened to the finger ard, a dnving pin in the radio electric unit arranged to pass through the stringed instrument, means on the driving Fin for the tightening and loosening thereo In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE T. HASTINGS. 

